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Eurostadium - another major delay, or worse.

(Image: Ghelamco)

The latest twist in the saga of the National Stadium has just emerged. The Flemish authorities have given what is described as a ‘negative opinion’ to developers Ghelamco, with regard to the stadium project for the ‘Parking C’ zone of the Heyzel platea. The reason given is that the proposed plan far exceeds the Region’s planning laws in terms of overall size. A figure of 100,000 m² instead of the authorised 50,000 m² has been cited by some sources. Lack of mobility provisions within the project is another reason given by the Flemish administration. The final decision of the Flemish government will be given within the near future.

It will be recalled that the extreme uncertainty surrounding this project has already led to UEFA discounting Brussels – the capital of Europe – as a host city for the 2020 European Football Championships. This latest twist, it has to be admitted, shows that they were probably right. It will also be recalled that a short while ago the developers of other projects on the Heyzel plateau – Besix – proposed to redevelop the existing Roi Baudouin stadium to make it comply with the latest regulations, and increase its capacity.

Ghelamco has indicated that it still believes in the project, which it has already substantially modified – and that it will supply the necessary explanations to the Flemish authorities prior to a final decision being made. It has said it does not believe that all the facts were known to the body which has given the negative opinion.